7 Defensive Seniors That Are Having Breakout Seasons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1624510' first='Stone' last='Rozak'] (St. Joe's) - Rozak had a solid junior year in 2024 but he really came into his own towards the end of last season. This year, he picked up right where he left off and is as dominant as ever. Stone has become a pivotal part of the Marauder defense. Him and fellow senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1293300' first='David' last='Amuka'] are quickly becoming one of the best tandems in Western New York.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1637616' first='Nacere' last='Johnson'] (Bennett) - Johnson transferred to Bennett as a junior in 2024 where he had a subpar season on a team loaded with talent. But Nacere exploded on the scene week 1 of this year racking up 6 tackles and 4 sacks in a tight battle with Niagara Falls. He is a swiss army knife at LB that also has the skill set to play DB as well as the aggressiveness to play DL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DE Roman Boyer (Depew) - Depew is off to a stellar 2-1 start with a couple of close call victories over Dunkirk and Olean. Games like those are won and lost in the trenches. Boyer has a quick get off the ball and has racked up 17 tackles and 4 sacks this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1426895' first='Jonathan' last='Pugliese'] (Orchard Park) - This is Pugliese's first game action since 2023 and he has been a major bright spot to the Quaker's season. Orchard Park has started off with a disappointing 1-2 record but Jonathan, who is also one of their top WRs, has recorded 18 tackles and 3 INTs in just the last two games alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1339489' first='Daymario' last='Young'] (Williamsville North) - Young made his varsity debut last season but was a non factor. After a slow start and going 0-2 in 2025, Daymario had a monster breakout game in the Spartans upset win over Kenmore West. He registered 3 tackles, 1 INT and 1 FR against a good Blue Devils team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1624558' first='Patrick' last='Horsmon'] (Williamsville East) - The Flames had a disappointing 2024 season but you could see a lot of talent from their underclassmen. Fast forward to week 3 of 2025 and Williamsville East has begun the season 3-0 and it is in no small part to Horsmon. Patrick is an electrifying Free Safety with great range and already has 2 INTs on the year. He had 3 all of last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1720878' first='Brayden' last='Klinger'] (Lancaster) - I have been covering Klinger since his sophomore season and the potential has always been there. He has ideal size at 6'4 225 lbs. and is a phenomenal DE with a high motor. So far this season he has recorded at least 9 tackles in every game and even received a Trench Trophy nomination, given to Western New York's best lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->